WO2006130001A1

WO2006130001A1 - Packaging material as for a bouquet, and method for manufacturing packaging material

Info

Publication number: WO2006130001A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Vlug
Original assignee: Van Dillewijn Group B.V.
Priority date: 2005-06-01
Filing date: 2006-05-22
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Also published as: GB0725048D0; GB2441479B; GB2441479A; NL1029164C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging material (1) as for a bouquet (20), which in flat state has a determined surface area, a central part and a peripheral edge (61), wherein the packaging material has an incision (12) extending substantially from the central part in the direction of the peripheral edge (61). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing packaging material such as for a bouquet (20), comprising of providing a length of material (1), forming from the length of material (1) the packaging material with a central part and a peripheral edge (61), wherein the method further comprises of arranging an incision (7) in the packaging material running from the central part toward the peripheral edge (61).

Description

PACKAGING MATERIAL AS FOR A BOUQUET, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PACKAGING MATERIAL

The invention relates to packaging material as for a bouquet, which in flat state has a determined surface area, a central part and a peripheral edge. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing packaging material such as for a bouquet, comprising of providing a length of material, forming from the length of material the packaging material with a central part and a peripheral edge. After manufacture the packaging material is wrapped around the bouquet. Such packaging material is generally known. It is wrapped around a bouquet. According to the general prior art a packaging material of rectangular form is wrapped around the bouquet. Other shapes are also known. Other than for instance sleeves, this packaging material is only one layer of material, for instance a plastic.

Other prior art packaging materials have in the flat state a determined shape from which a portion is cut out. This cut-out portion is for instance a pie wedge- shaped portion, the tip of which is located close to a central part of the packaging material .

The cut-out portion produces waste material. The large numbers of production units result in a large quantity of waste material, wherein for manufacturing purposes measures must be taken to dispose of this waste.

The object of the invention is to provide packaging material of the above stated type, wherein said waste flows are limited.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the packaging material has an incision extending substantially from the central part in the direction of the peripheral edge. No waste material, or hardly any, is hereby produced in the manufacture of a packaging material formed in this way. Owing to the incision it is possible to arrange the bouquet with the stalks through the packaging material close to the central part of the packaging material. A bouquet is hereby obtained that is wrapped in packaging material, wherein the packaging material can be arranged more uniformly around the bouquet .

It is noted that an incision differs from and is new relative to a recess in the prior art packaging material. Through use of the incision the packaging material retains its original form, for instance a hexagonal or octagonal peripheral edge. The incision results in only a minor change. The packaging material preferably has a substantially circular form. It is hereby possible to wrap the packaging material around the bouquet, wherein the bouquet protrudes through the central part, i.e. in the case of this form through the middle point of the circular packaging material, wherein the packaging material can be folded into a cone shape which can be arranged uniformly around the bouquet.

The incision preferably has a size of less than 10% of the area of the packaging material. This means that less than 10% of the area of the packaging material is removed by arranging the incision therein. The waste material is hereby greatly limited. The original shape of the packaging material is retained. The incision comprises a portion of the area of the packaging material in flat state, but the portion is limited here. With such a limited area it is still possible to arrange the stalk of the bouquet in the central part.

The incision is preferably less than 10 degrees of arc in size. The waste flow is hereby also greatly limited. In another embodiment the incision is less than 15 degrees of arc in size, and preferably less than 5 degrees of arc. The size in degrees of arc can be measured by measuring the size/width of the incision from the central part. In one embodiment the incision is formed by a part removed from the packaging material . The incision can hereby be arranged in simple manner.

In a further preferred embodiment the incision ends in a recess close to the central part. The stalks of a bouquet can hereby be placed easily in this recess with the stalk through the packaging material, whereby wrapping is simplified. The central part is preferably cut away.

In yet a further preferred embodiment the recess has a second peripheral edge which is substantially continuous. This prevents the packaging material tearing/tearing further when the stalks are arranged close to the central part. The packaging material is often thin plastic or foil-like material which tears easily. It tears particularly easily in the case of incisions which end abruptly or in the case of discontinuities. Because the peripheral edge is continuous close to the central part, a recess is formed which will not readily tear further, even when the stalks are arranged with some force in the recess. The transition between incision edge and second peripheral edge is preferably continuous.

The recess preferably has a diameter which is greater than the smallest width of the incision. This facilitates placing of the stalks in the recess close to the central part .

The packaging material preferably has a substantially octagonal form, and when the packaging material is folded around the stalk a cone shape is hereby obtained which is provided with an edge in angular form. In another embodiment the packaging material has a substantially hexagonal form. The octagonal and in particular hexagonal form can be produced in efficient manner without much waste material by making use of a length of material in which the packaging material is formed.

The packaging material according to the invention preferably comprises a plastic. The packaging material preferably has one layer. The packaging material is preferably transparent, or preferably has transparent parts. The packaging material can preferably be provided with reinforcement, preferably arranged close to one of the peripheral edges of the packaging material . A connecting means is preferably arranged after wrapping of the material round a bouquet .

The invention also relates to a stack comprising a number of packaging materials as described above.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing packaging material such as for a bouquet, comprising of providing a length of material, and forming the packaging material with a central part and a peripheral edge from the length of material . The invention is characterized in that the method further comprises of arranging an incision in the packaging material running from the central part toward the peripheral edge. Packaging material is hereby obtained which can be wrapped easily around a bouquet, wherein the stalks protrude through the packaging material close to the central part, preferably through the incision. In a preferred embodiment the incision runs from the central part to the peripheral edge of the packaging material. The incision is then a part of the peripheral edge of the packaging material. In another embodiment the incision is arranged in the inner part of the packaging material, and the peripheral edge is separate therefrom. Situated between the incision and peripheral edge of the packaging material is a narrow strip which is tearable. The strip can for instance be pre- perforated so that it tears easily. The form of the peripheral edge of the packaging material is hereby- retained.

A recess is preferably arranged close to the central part through which the stalk of a bouquet can be arranged. The recess is preferably punched, preferably provided with a continuous peripheral edge.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective, schematic view of the production of packaging material, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging material according to a first embodiment in the flat state, provided with a bouquet, Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the packaging material according to the invention, Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the packaging material according to the invention, Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the packaging material according to the invention,

Figure 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the packaging material according to the invention, and

Figure 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the packaging material according to the invention. Figure 1 shows in schematic manner the manufacture of packaging material. From a supply roll with packaging material 1 a length of material 2 is carried over a support 3. This can for instance be a conveyor belt. From the length of material the packaging material 5 is formed by the schematically represented machine 4 with a determined surface area, a determined peripheral edge, in the shown embodiment a hexagon, and other properties. Such a form can be punched out of the length of material. Other production methods can also be applied. The schematic representation of the packaging material forming machine 4 allows any production method for forming the packaging material of a determined form from the length of material 2.

The formed packaging material 5 is carried further over conveyor belt 2 to a second schematically shown processing device for the packaging material. Processing device 6 arranges an incision 7 in the packaging material 8 guided through processing device 6. The shown incision runs inward from the peripheral edge toward the central part of packaging material 8. Different techniques can be employed in arranging the incision. The incision can be sliced, cut, punched, stamped, but also burned. The advantage of this latter technique will be strengthening of the material along the burnt edge, whereby further tearing is prevented.

Using a third schematically shown processing device 9 a recess 10 is for instance punched into the already processed packaging material 11 which has been provided with incision 12. The incision and the circular recess can also be manufactured in one operation. The peripheral form of the packaging material can also be embodied as a rectangle or square. The incision can be omitted, whereby only a hole is created in the packaging material .

Shown is an example wherein a single, separate, single-layer material is processed. It is possible to process multiple layers simultaneously. A stack of packaging materials is hereby obtained. The separate packaging material can also be stacked later, after being formed.

The manufacture as according to figure 1 is very schematic. Manufacture can be implemented in diverse other ways. The first and second processing device 6,9 can thus be combined into one machine. Other forms of the packaging material are possible. The arranging of the incision can take place after first arranging recess 10 in packaging material 11. The incision can also be arranged first in the length of material 2 and then acquire its shape with cutting device 4. Diverse other combinations are also possible.

Figure 2 shows a bouquet 20 of which the outer ends/stalks protrude through a recess 21 in hexagonal packaging material 22 provided with an incision 23. Recess 21 is situated in the central part of the packaging material . Recess 21 has a diameter such that the stalks of the bouquet can protrude through the recess. The stalks can be placed in recess 21 by moving them inward through incision 23 from the outside of packaging material 22.

The second recess 21 has a substantially round form. This is an example of a peripheral edge which is continuous. Other continuous peripheral edges are also possible for recess 21. The continuous progression of the peripheral edge of recess 21 prevents further tearing of the packaging material due to arranging of the stalks of bouquet 20 in central recess 21 of packaging material 22.

The diameter of recess 21 is greater than the width of incision 23 at the position where incision 23 debouches into recess 21. Incision 23 has a small area compared to the area of packaging material 22, less than 10%.

In the shown embodiment the incision has a size of less than 12 degrees of arc as calculated from the centre of packaging material 22.

Packaging material 22 can be arranged around bouquet 20, wherein the peripheral edge of packaging material 22 is carried upward around, under or at the position of the flowers of bouquet 20. The material is then fixed in this wrapped position, for instance by arranging a connecting means, such as an adhesive tape. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of packaging material 30 according to the invention. Packaging material 30 is formed from a length of material in a manner as shown in figure 1 or in another suitable manner. Packaging material 30 has a peripheral edge 31. The packaging material according to this embodiment has a substantially circular form. The peripheral edge lies around a middle point or a central part of the packaging material where a recess 32 is arranged.

The packaging material is cut out or removed, for instance by punching, at the central part. A second peripheral edge 33 is situated around recess 32. This recess has a round, circle-like form. The edge is continuous, whereby no weak spot is formed in the material at which the material could easily tear. In the shown embodiment a narrow incision 34 runs from the central recess 32 in the direction of peripheral edge 31. In this embodiment the incision is a narrow channel for arranging the stalks of a bouquet so that they can be received in recess 32. Packaging material 30 comprises a flexible material such as a plastic, such as a polymer, for instance LDPE, and when the stalks are arranged in incision 34 the material can be bent away on either side so that the stalks can enter recess 32. Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of packaging material 40 with a substantially round form and peripheral edge 41. Recess 42 is arranged close to the central part of the packaging material and takes the form of a droplet with a narrow connection 43 to peripheral edge 41. Here the connection 43 forms the incision.

Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of packaging material 50. The form of the packaging material is pentagonal. An incision 51 runs from a central part 52 to peripheral edge 53 of packaging material 50. In this embodiment no material is removed from the packaging material in a production method as shown in figure 1. A particularly favourable embodiment is hereby obtained. Figure 6 shows packaging material 60 with a peripheral edge 61. The packaging material has a substantially octagonal form.

An incision 62 runs from a central part 63 of packaging material 60 to peripheral edge 61 and substantially takes the form of a channel with two substantially parallel edges 64,65. The central outer end of the incision has a rounded peripheral edge 66. A recess is in fact arranged close to central part 63 which has a diameter equal to the distance between edges 64 and 65.

Figure 7 shows a substantially hexagonal embodiment of packaging material 70. An incision 71 runs from central part 72 where a recess is arranged in the direction of peripheral edge 73. Close to the connection between incision 71 and peripheral edge 73 is arranged a tongue 74 which mutually connects edges 75 and 76 of incision 71. The ends of the packaging material separated from each other by the incision are hereby still connected to each other. The connection of tongue 74 to edge 75 is breakable, for instance at the moment the stalks are arranged. The connection of the tongue to edge 75 can for instance be pre-punched, for instance by forming a score line which is readily tearable. A non-shown embodiment is a packaging material wherein the incision is punched in its entirety and is easily tearable when the stalks are arranged.

Diverse other embodiments of packaging material are possible. Combinations of the shown embodiments are particularly possible. The embodiment shown in figure 5 can be provided with a punched incision instead of the cut incision 51.

Claims

1. Packaging material as for a bouquet, which in flat state has a determined surface area, a central part and a peripheral edge, characterized in that the packaging material has an incision extending substantially from the central part in the direction of the peripheral edge .

2. Packaging material as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the incision preferably has an area of less than 10% of the area of the packaging material .

3. Packaging material as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the incision is less than 10 degrees of arc in size.

4. Packaging material as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the incision is formed by a part removed from the packaging material .

5. Packaging material as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a recess is arranged close to the central part of the packaging material .

6. Packaging material as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the incision ends in the recess close to the central part.

7. Packaging material as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the recess has a second peripheral edge which is substantially continuous.

8. Packaging material as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the recess has a diameter which is greater than a smallest width of the incision.

9. Packaging material as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the packaging material is substantially circular in flat state.

10. Packaging material as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the packaging material has a substantially octagonal form.

^'11. Method for manufacturing packaging material such as for a bouquet, comprising of providing a length of material, forming from the length of material the packaging material with a central part and a peripheral edge, characterized in that the method further comprises of arranging an incision in the packaging material running from the central part toward the peripheral edge .

12. Method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the arranging further comprises of arranging a recess in the packaging material close to the central part of the packaging material, wherein the incision ends in the recess.

13. Stack of packaging material such as for bouquets, comprising packaging material as .claimed in any of the claims 1-10.